Houston Astros pitcher Will Harris (36) signs a helmet for David Torres at Astros fan fest at Minute Maid Park Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Houston. Torres has been a season ticket holder for 20 years, including the two years he spent in Afghanistan. ( Jon Shapley / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros pitcher Will Harris (36) signs a helmet for David Torres at Astros fan fest at Minute Maid Park Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Houston. Torres has been a season ticket holder for 20 years, ... more

Scott Feldman healthy, ready to be a part of Astros' starting rotation

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As far as Scott Feldman is concerned, not much has changed for him compared to where he was at this stage last year. The veteran righthander is already on his regular throwing schedule as he prepares for his third spring training with the Astros.

Feldman is adamant that he is over the season-ending right shoulder injury he suffered last Sept. 1, and he expects to reclaim his spot in the Astros’ rotation this spring.

“I’ve just been having a normal offseason,” he said. “I’ve had a few MRIs over the last five months, six months, whatever it has been. Each one got progressively better until finally it was all healed up and ready to roll.”

Feldman, 32, was cleared to start throwing again in November. He and his physician settled on Jan. 4 as the date for him to start his preseason throwing program. That date is in line with his traditional schedule in preparation for spring training.

He has been playing catch in his native California for several weeks. Barring an unexpected setback, he expects to start throwing bullpen sessions early next month before he reports to Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, Fla., with the rest of the pitchers and catchers on Feb. 18.

“I wouldn’t have wanted to come into camp being behind everybody,” he said. “I want to make sure I’m ready to go when the season starts and come into spring training and show everybody that I’m healthy and ready to go.”

Feldman was limited to 18 starts last year because of arthroscopic right knee surgery and a sprained right shoulder. He finished the season with a 5-5 record and a 3.90 ERA.

Although he wasn’t rewarded with many decisions, he was brilliant in August while posting a 1-0 record and 1.33 ERA in four starts that month. He gave up only four runs in 27 innings in that span.

He had plenty of reason for optimism heading into September, but he suffered the right shoulder sprain and lasted only 2 2/3 innings on Sept. 1 against the Mariners.

He could only watch as the Astros struggled without him through much of September before they surged in the final week of the season to win the AL wild card.

“It was great that we made the playoffs and it was a lot of fun to watch,” he said. “At the same time it was kind of killing me that I couldn’t go out there to play also. It was something that kind of motivated me a lot this offseason to get back because I know we’ve got such a good team and I know how excited the fans are and everybody is ready for the season to start. I’m really looking forward to it.”

The Astros haven’t ruled out adding another veteran starting pitcher before camp starts. Until then, Feldman has to be considered the favorite to round out the rotation behind Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, Lance McCullers and Mike Fiers.

Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner, McHugh, a 19-game winner in 2015, and the hard-throwing McCullers give the Astros an impressive three at the front of the rotation. Fiers threw the game of his life with a no-hitter against the Dodgers. He was limited to one inning in the postseason when manager A.J. Hinch went with Keuchel, McHugh, McCullers and Scott Kazmir in the postseason rotation.

Kazmir bolted to the Dodgers via free agency, leaving Feldman once again as the most experienced starter in the rotation.

“He’s huge,” McCullers said of Feldman. “He’s a guy you lean on. He’s been around. He’s seen it all. He’s been to the World Series, been in playoff runs. He’s had to do a lot of different roles. He’s a guy you can go to with pretty much everything and get some pretty solid advice.”

The Astros’ rotation suffered from an extreme lack of leadership – not to mention talent – during the disastrous 111-loss season in 2013. Feldman filled that leadership void when he signed a three-year, $30 million free agent deal with the club on Dec. 5, 2013.

He earned the Opening Day start in 2014 and then slid in behind Keuchel in 2015.

Feldman’s value has extended far beyond the mound during his first two seasons with the Astros. He helped Keuchel ascend to prominence in 2014.

Then he quietly helped the young rotation maneuver through a surprising surge toward relevance last year. McCullers and Vince Velasquez, who was traded to the Phillies in the Ken Giles trade last month, always found a willing mentor in Feldman whenever they needed advice as rookie last season.

“He’s been a huge part of this team the last few years,” catcher Jason Castro said of Feldman. “Not only has he been a guy that has gone out there and been a workhorse for us in the rotation.

“I think almost more importantly he’s done a lot for the young pitchers that we’ve had on this team and really showed them what it takes to be successful, how to make adjustments, just the mentality of pitching at this level. I think he’s been kind of invaluable in that regard to a lot of the pitching staff.”